Tuesday, May 26, 1998 Last modified at 12:47 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 1998

Inmates pursue diplomas

MARSHALL (AP) - Kyle Seek may not be at his high school graduation physically, but he will be there in spirit.

Seek, who is currently incarcerated for aggravated assault, has finished the requirements for his high school diploma through the joint efforts of the Harrison County Sheriff's department and the Marshall Independent School District. Through the home-bound schooling, Seek and one other County Jail inmate, Derrick Jenkins, have been able to keep up with their studies and continue to earn credit toward graduation.

"I wanted to get my diploma instead of a GED because I've come this far in school and didn't want to quit now," Seek said.

Seek has completed the courses for graduation and is only waiting to hear his grades in economics and math to make sure he will graduate. Although he will be in the Texas Department of Corrections' custody by the time graduation rolls around, he said his name will be called with the others who are graduating Saturday.

Seek also said that he will try to enroll in some college courses soon. He said he is not sure what he wants to study yet.

"It's very important to get an education, regardless where you are," Sheriff Bob Green said.

Although Jenkins will not be graduating this year, he said he will be able to graduate next year because of the home school. He said his stay in county jail, on drug-related charges, will end next month and he looks forward to completing school next year.

"Continuing my education like this will make me a better person," Jenkins said.

According to Sheriff Green, there has been a General Equivalency Degree program in place at the jail for the last five years. However, only recently did anyone earn their certificate.

Mary Eva Kirk, an educator from Kilgore College, has been teaching the inmates in the GED program since February of this year. She said one inmate did receive his certificate and another is very close to it. For two nights ever week, Ms. Kirk instructs the inmates in five subjects: writing, arts and literature, science, social studies and math.

According to Ms. Kirk, participation by the inmates in her classes is purely voluntary. The inmates have this option available to them. Once they ask about the program, Ms. Kirk said, she reviews their profile to determine if she can teach them.

"All they need is a chance," she said. "Overall they are a good bunch of guys who got caught up in the system."

When she first started teaching the inmates, jail personnel asked her if she wanted a guard posted inside the door. She said no because she felt comfortable and her students show nothing but respect for her. She said they have excellent behavior and are there to learn. Many are taking the course so they will have better job opportunities available when they are released. Ms. Kirk said she is encouraging them all not to stop at a GED but to continue their education to a higher level.